Protecting the Prop during winter month when not sailing

[vasko]

I'm thinking about ways of protecting my prop of barnacles during winter months (i will not sail from nov to april)and come to the idea to fit a sock or bag over it - It's folding two blades e.g very easy to put a sock on but still thinking about the right material for the sock as not sure if the barnacles will not grow under the sock.. any ideas ?

btw: so far TK Line Antifouling Spray Clear + when swimming around the boat covering with surf wax every 2-3 weeks the prop and once per season the shaft is doing great job - no barnacles at all

[vasko]

my current best bet for cover is :

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silica-Gel-Bag-Soft-Knead-Dough-Kitchen-for-Flour-Fruit-Juice-Food-Mashed-Potato-/171540945928?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27f0a31c08

[rene460]

Hi Vasko,

I believe eve that barnacles start as tiny "eggs" that are released into the water and attach themselves to what ever they can and start to grow.  They are very small, so get into filters, pipes and crevices but it is hard to see how they would get into a tightly closed off bag unless they were already there when it was put on, so your bag idea seems worth a try.  Also, lack of light seems to slow them down so a coloured bag rather than clear would probably be best.  But what about the rudder and rest of the hull?

I still think the best is to go for a short motoring trip about every month.  I enjoy it even in winter, though it depends on the temperature where you spend winter.  I also try to get the sails up at least enough to air them even if it is in a calm, but not always practical.

rene460

[ianpowolny]

Vasko,

It will be interesting to hear how the bag system works. I look forward to the update next year. Ian

[vasko]

Will keep you updated , but I expect to work as some people has reported already that a plastic bag has worked for them..  and I plan to cover the prop with surf -wax before covering... 

[so36idavid]

Vasko,

The plastic bag idea sounds good to me. It's not a matter of excluding barnacles (they're probably already there, you just can't see them). But rather you will deprive them of food and oxygen. I think any heavy-duty plastic bag, tightly sealed to the prop shaft with maybe a bungee or velcro strap would work. 

Just remember to remove it in the spring!